Friction-clutch.



Patented Julie 2-7, I899.

N. SHAW.

FRICTION CLUTCH.

(Application filed May 25, 1896.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

SSQS

HOTQ-LITNOH WASHINGTON, u. c.

No. 627,627. Patented June 27, I899.

N. SHAW.

FRICTION CLUTCH.

(Application filed May 25, 1896.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Jaafi 15 %azu,

Hdiigzsses W I l y @7/6 @J fiergzys,

my I i I V m: NORRIS vz'rzas co, PHOTO-LITNQZWASHINGTON n. c

m. 627,627. Patented June 27 I899.

N. SHAW.

FmcTmN- CLUTCH.

. (Application filed May 25, 1896.) I (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

iigzsgcs UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NOAH SHAW, OF EAU CLAIRE, \VISCONSIN.

FRICTION-CLUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 627,627, dated. a...27,1899.

" Applicationfiled May 25,1896. stun No. 592.970. on model.)

clutches of this character that shall renderthe same very positive andpowerful in firmly clutching the pulley on the shaft; and the inventionalso contemplates a novel construction and arrangement of parts wherebythe members or jaws of the clutch shall be positively held againstcentrifugal force and prevented from being thrown thereby into contactwith the rim or flange of the pulley when unclutched therefrom. In theattainment of this object the invention is especially directed towardpositively preventing centrifugal force from throwing the inner clutchjaw or member outward against the rim or flange of the pulley andcausing fire by friction, which is of quite frequent occurrence infriction-clutches that are not positively secured against being thrownin frictional contact with the rim or flange of the pulley bycentrifugal action or force. 1

With these and other objects in View, which will readily appear as thenature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in thenovel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinaftermore.

fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an end view'of a pulley and an elevation ofthe improved friction-clutch used in connection therewith. Fig. 2 is anenlarged central longitudinal sectional View of the clutch. Fig. 3 is anenlarged detail elevation of one side of a portion of the clutch-frame,one of the framearms beingillustrated as having fitted thereto the innerjaw or member of the clutch. Fig. 4 is a detail elevation of the innerclutch-jaw ormember of the clutch and its attachments. Fig. 5 is adetail sectional view on the line 5 5 of .Fig. 2. Fig. 6is a detail planview of the sectional two-part angled toggle-lever. Fig. 7 is anenlarged detail elevation of the toggle connections for the mainadjustinglever, showing in dotted lines different positions of theconnections. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the clutch,showing a modification in the toggle connections. Fig. 9 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 8, showing another modification in the toggleconnections. Fig. 10 is a detail elevation of the main T-shap'edadjusting-leverfor the clutch jaws or members. Fig. 11 is anenlargedlongitudinal sectional view of the hollow self-lubricating hubof the pulley. Fig. 12 is ase'ctional view on the line 12 12 of Fig. 11.Fig. 13 is a detail sectional View of the knuckle-collar.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates a shafton which is loosely mounted a pulley 2, having at one side the usualoffstanding clutch rim or flange 3 and fitted on a hollowself-lubricating hub 4. The hollow self-lubricating hub 4 is similar inconstruction to the hub disclosed in my former patent, No. 412,674, andis provided witha centrally-disposed annular lubrichamber 5 undercentrifugal influence; but

when the pulley is un'clutched and is at rest on the shaft the lubricantsettles in the lower part'of the hub, while the rotating shaft moves theoiling-ring, which insures a thorough distribution of the oil throughoutthe huband on the shaft, as'will be readily understood by those skilledin the art.

At one side of the hub of the pulley 2 the shaft l-has splined or keyedthereon aframehub 9, carrying a clutch-frame 10', preferably of thespider type, and comprisinga plunecessary for the purposes of thisinvention to describe the clutch in connection with one of theframe-arms 11 of the spider clutchframe 10.

Each radial frame-arm 11 is arranged parallel with the adjacent loosepulley 2 and extends from its point of connection with the frame-hub 9to a point in reasonably close proximity to the clutch rim or flange 3of the pulley to provide for the proper disposition of the inversely andradially movable inner and outer clutch-jaws 12 and 13, respectively.The clutch-jaws 12 and 13 are respectively arranged on opposite sides ofthe frame-arm 11 and are designed to slide thereon inversely or inopposite directions to clutch or unelutch the rimor flange 3 of thepulley. Both of the clutch-jaws 12 and 13 are provided with straightshank portions let, resting flat against the sides of the frame-arm 11and at the outer ends of said straight shank portions with the segmentalclutch-heads 15, having recessed faces 16 to receive therein the woodenor other suitable clutch-shoes 17, which are also segmental in shape soas to evenly grip the inner and outer faces of the circular clutch rimor flange 3 of the pulley. It will be noted that the clutch-head 15 atthe outer end of the straight shank portion 14 of the outer clutch-jaw13 is angled in the usual way, so as to overhang the rim or flange 3 anddispose its clutch-shoe in a position so as to contact with the outerface or side of the said rim or flange, as will be readily understood bythose acquainted with devices of this character. The straight shankportion 14 of each of the clutch-jaws slides flat against one side ofthe frame-arm 11 and is provided at its opposite side edges with theslide-flanges 18, which are overlapped by the combined guide andretaining plates 19, arranged at the 0pposite side edges of eachjaw-shank 14, and bolted to the radial frame-arm 11 by means of thesecuring-bolts 20. The said combined guide and retaining plates 19 arereadily attachable and detachable and provide simple and eflieient meansfor securing the clutchjaws respectively on opposite sides of the radialframe-arm 11, as clearly illustrated in the drawings,

Each radial frame-arm 1.1 is longitudinally slotted nearly its entirelength to accommodate for movement therein the main T-shapedadjusting-lever 21. The main T-shaped adj usting-lever swings within thelongitudinal slot 22 of the radial frame-arm 11, and is preferably of anopen light construction, so as not to materially increase the weight ofthe clutch. The said T-shaped lever 21 essentially comprises a longlever-arm 23 and a cross-head 2i at the outer end of said long lever-arm23, said cross-head being centrally pivoted within the outer end of theslot22 of the framearm 11 on the pivot-pin 25, and provided at directlyopposite sides of its pivot with the lateral bearing-rings 26, whichform rounded bearing ends at the extremities of the cross-head 24: ofthe T-lever 21. The rounded .bearing ends 26 of the cross-head of the T-lever Work freely in the bearing pockets or recesses 27, east in theshanks 14 of the 0ppositely-located clutch-jaws 12 and 13, and by reasonof the location of the inner and outer jaw-shanks at opposite sides ofthe frame-arm 11 one end of the head of the T- lever engages with onejaw and the other end of the head of the T-lever engages with the otherjaw, so that when the long lever-arm 23 of the T- lever is swung the twojaws will be moved inversely or in opposite directions to provide forclutching or nnclutching the pulley. At this point it will be noted thatthe construction of the rings or rounded ends 26 working in the recesses27 dispenses with the necessity of pivot pins or rods at these points,and it will further be observed that the manner of mounting. the twojaws on the frame-arm allows the T-lever 21 to be pivoted or mounted onthe frame-arm 11 at the farthest point possible from the frame-hub 9,

thereby admitting of forming the lever-arm 23 of a considerable length,so that the most powerful leverage possible will be secured from themain T-shaped adjusting-lever, as heretofore adj usting-levers of thischaracter in some makes of friction-clutches have necessarily had shortlever-arms by reason of the fact that the cross-heads ot' the levershave been mounted considerably nearer to the frame-hub 9 thanillustrated and described in connection with the present invention, andthis feature of the invention is very important, for it is well knownthat the power of a friction-clutch is proportionate to the length ofthe lever that actuates the clamping-jaws or members thereof.

Theinner end of the long lever-arm 23 of the T-lever 21 has pivotallyfitted thereto, as at 28, one end of a togglelink 29, which isillustrated as being exterior-1y threaded and extending through aknuckle-collar 30, provided with oppositely-disposed trunnions orpivot-pins 31 and having the threaded togglelink 29 adjuslably securedtherein by means of the threaded locking-nuts 32, engaging the threadedlink 29 at opposite sides of the collar 30 and providing means forreadily adjusting the distance between the lower end of the lever-arm 23and the knuckle-collar 30 and for securing the toggle-link 29 in itsadjusted position. The opposite trunnions or pivot-pins 31 of theknuckle-collar 30 loosely nection between the inner end of the T-lever21 and one end of the toggle-lever 34 may be observed, as illustrated inFigs. 8 and 9 of the drawings.

In Fig. 8 of the drawings the knuckle-collar 30 is illustrated as beinginteriorly threaded, and the toggle-link 29 is represented as beingprovided at one end with a wrenchhead'44 and at its other end with atapered bearing-pin 45, loosely fitting in the pinsocket 46, formed inone side and at the lower end of the louglever-arm 23 of the T-lever 21,and in this construction to provide for the adjustment of the T-leverand the toggle-link connection between the same and the angledtoggle-lever it is simply necessary toturn the link 29 in the threadedcollar 30 and secure said link in its adjusted position by the locknut32*,mounted thereon and working against one side of the threaded collar30.

The modification illustrated in Fig. 9 is somewhat similar to thatillustrated in Fig. 8, the essential difference between the twomodifications being that the bearing-pin 45,

at one end of the link 29, works in the socket, 47 of a separatesocket-plate 48, pivotally fitted to the inner end of the lever-arm 23in the same manner as one end of the link 29, hereinbefore referred to.

In the several modifications of the toggle connections with the mainadjusting T-lever '21 the toggle action is precisely the same andprovides for imparting to the T-lever 21 a variable motion, by whichgreater power anda greater clearance are secured. It will further beobserved that by reason of the particular arrangement of the toggleconnections, and especially the knuckle connection between thetoggle-link 29 and the outwardly-disposed arm of the toggle-lever 34,the first movement of the slide-block 43 in a direction toward theframe-hub 9 to close the clutchjaws onto the rim or flange 3 gives avery rapid movement to the T-lever 21 at the start; but as theslide-block continues to move the second toggle-link 41 and the link 29assume 3 of the pulley. On the other hand, the adjustment of theslide-block 43 away'from the frame-hub 9, in connection with the longlength of the lever arm 23, provides for giving the two clutch jaws ormembers a wide clearance from the 'clutch' rim or flange 3 of thepulley.

A very important feature of the present invention is the springarrangement in connection with the inner clutch jaw or member 12, and toprovide for the proper support ant positioning of the springs aspring-holding yoke 49 is'employed. The spring-holding yoke 49essentially comprises a plate 50, having a pair of oppositely-extendingarms 51, provided at their extremities with outwardlydisposed studs orpins 52, on which studs or pins 52 are fitted the inner end ofretainingsprings 53, the outer ends of which springs bear against theshoulder-flanges 54, projected outwardly from one side of the combinedguide and retaining plates 19, that slidably secure the shank of theinner clutch-jaw 12 on the frame-arm 11. The yoke-plate of thespringholding yoke 49 is secured by means of a bolt 55 to the outer sideof the shank 14 of the inner movable clutch jaw or memberl2, as clearlyillustrated in the drawings.

The tension of the springs 53 is adjusted by the adjustment of thetogglelink 29, as will be obvious, and said tension of the springs isalways exerted in a direction to force the inner clutch jaw or memberaway from the clutch rim or flange of the pulley, thereby holding theinner clutch jaw or member against the centrifugal force away from therim when the clutch is thrown off and maintaining the same clearancefrom the rim or flange by both jaws or members of the clutch,notwithstanding that there maybe lost motion in the toggle connectionsand levers. In the construction of friction-clutches it has been thepractice in some makes of clutches to apply a spring to the outer jaw ormember, as set forth in my former patent, No. 412,674, and at the sametime to also make the outer jaw or member heavier than the inner jaw ormember, so that the centrifugal force, together with the spring, willhold the clutchjaws apart when the clutch is thrown 01f; but in practicelost motion and the wear of the different parts is such that veryfrequently the inner clutch jaw or member is not prevented from beingthrown outward by centrifugal force and rotated in frictional contactwith the rim or flange 3 and often producing fire. The constructionherein described obviates these disadvantages and further permits theweight of the outer jaw or member tob'e materially reduced, as whateverthe weight of the outer jaw or member may be the centrifugal force isalways ample to hold it, out of contact with the rim or flange when theclutch is released.

Each frame-arm 11 of the spider clutchframe 10 is provided in oppositeside edges 56 with metal provides for balancing the weight of eachclutch-arm and the clutch devices carried thereby and avoids thenecessity and expense of fastening an unsightly piece of iron on theclutch-frame for this purpose.

In order to provide for a proper balancing pf the weight of eachclutch-arm and of the clutch devices carried thereby, it is preferablethat the pockets 56 be formed in the opposite side edges of each radialarm. Furthermore, it will be observed that the pockets 56 partiallypierce the side portions of the arm and have their open sides facing thespaces between the arms, so as to be exposed in a manner that they maybe conveniently filled with molten metal, a sufficient quantity of whichmetal is poured into the difierent pockets until the clutch-frame isproperly balanced. It is also to be noted that by reason of having thepockets 56 formed directly in the clutch-arm the soft-metal fillings areentirely housed or concealed and practically form a homogeneous part ofthe spider clutch-frame, and by reason of said weight-pockets beingdisposed in the plane of rotation of the clutchframe there is notendency of the metal fillings to work loose and fly out of the pocketsunder centrifugal force.

Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of constructionmay be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificingany of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to besecured by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a friction-clutch, a pair of inversely and radially movableclutch-jaws, a pivotally-supported T-lever having a pivotal con-.nection with each of said jaws and provided with a straight lever-arm,a suitably-supported angled toggle-lever having a short arm disposed inan outward direction, a straight toggle-link having a connection withthe inner extremity of the T-lever, a pivotal knuckle connection withthe outwardly-disposed arm of said toggle-lever,a slide-block, means foradjusting the toggle-link longitudinally within' its knuckle connection,and a toggle-link connection between the slide-block and the other armof the toggle-lever, thereby completing a system of levers providingforimpartinga variable motion to the straight lever-arm of the T-lever,substantially as set forth.

, 2. In a friction-clutch,the combination with a shaft and a pulleyhaving a clutch-rim, of a clutch-frame having a longitudinally-slottedframe-arm, inner and outer oppositely-movable clutch-jaws mounted toslide on opposite sides of the frame-arm and each provided with a shankportion having therein a bearing pocket or recess, a T-shapedadjustinglever having a straight lever-arm and a crosshead at the outerend of said lever-arm, said cross-head being centrally pivoted in theslotted frame-arm and provided with rounded ends having a peripheralpivotal bearing in the bearing pockets or recesses of said jawshanks, asuitably-supported angled togglelever, a toggle-link having a connectionwith the straight lever-arm of the T-lever and a knuckle connection withone end of said toggle-lever, aslide-block, and a toggle-link connectionbetween said slide-block and the other end of said toggle-lever,substantially as set forth.

3. In a friction-clutcl1,the combination with a shaft and a pulleyhaving a clutch-rim; of a clutch-frame having a frame-arm, the inner andouter oppositely-movable clutch-jaws, a T-lever pivoted at the center ofits cross-head to the frame-arm and having a pivotal connection witheach of said jaws in recesses thereof, a suitably-supported angledtogglelever, a knuckle-collar pivotally mounted at one end of theoutwardly-disposed arm of said toggle-lever, a toggle-link having anadjustment throughout its entire length within said kn uckle-collar andhaving a pivotal connection at one end with the inner extremity of saidT-lever, a slide-block, and a togglelink connection between saidslide-block and said toggle-lever, substantially as set forth.

4. In afriction-clutch,the combination with a shaft and a pulley havinga rim; of a clutchframe having a frame-arm, inner and outeroppositely-movable jaws, a T- shaped adj usting-lever pivoted at thecenter of its crosshead to the frame-arm and having the opposite ends ofits cross-head pivotally engaging with said jaws in recesses thereof, asuitablysupported angled toggle-lever comprising a pair of twin-spacedmembers angled to form short and long arms, a knuckle-collar having anunthreaded opening therethrough and oppositely-disposed trunnionspivotally engaging the short outwardly-disposed arms of the angledtoggle-lever, a straight toggle-link threaded from end to end andextending through the opening in the knuckle-collar, said threadedtoggle-link having a pivotal connection with the inner extremity of theT- shaped lever, locking-nuts mounted on the threaded link at oppositesides of the knucklecollar, a slide-block, and a toggle-link connectionbetween the slide-block and said toggle-lever, substantially as setforth. I

5. In a friction-clutch,the combination with a shaft and a pulley havinga clutch-rim; of a clutch-frame having a frame-arm provided with a pairof offstanding projections, the inner and outer oppositely-movable jaws,a separate yoke-plate fixedly secured to the inner jaw and provided witha pair of oppositely-extending arms, and springs fitted to the separatearms of the yoke-plate and bearing against the projections of theframe-arm, substantially as set forth.

6. In a friction-clutcl1,tl1e combination with a shaft and a pulleyhaving a clutch-rim; of the clutch-frame having a f ra me-arm providedwith outwardly-projected shoulder-flanges, the inner and outeroppositely-movable jaws, a separate yoke-plate fixedly secured at itsouter end to the inner jaw and provided with a pair ofoppositely-extending arms having at their extremities outwardly-disposedstuds or spaces between the arms, and soft metal 7 pins, springsarranged over said studs or pins Weights filling and concealed Withinsaid and bearing at one end against said shoulderpockets, to provide forbalancing the weight I 5 flanges, and'means for adjusting the jaws toofeach arm and of the clutch devices carried 5 ward and against said rim,substantially asthereby, substantially as set forth.

set forth. In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 7. In afriction-clutch, the spider clutchmy own I have hereto affixed mysignatnrein frame provided in the opposite edges of each the presence oftwo witnesses.

radial arm with weight-pockets disposed in NOAl-I SHAV. IO the plane ofrotation of the frame, said pock- Witnesses:

ets partially piercing the side portions of the H. G. STEARNS,

arms, and having their open sides facing the J. ANDERSON.

